10. Other Special Tasks

There are several special tasks that an IRB may need to undertake:

Buoy laying

An anchor is not a standard piece of operational equipment, except in search and rescue (SAR) or water safety operations. The below information refers to buoy laying procedures for normal club operations only. Buoy laying at carnivals is a specialist skill that needs to be learnt separately.

Overloading an IRB with anchors and buoys can be a major risk and may be in breach of the manufacturer’s weight guidelines. It is recommended that a maximum of 2 anchors and 2 buoys are in an IRB at one time. It is also recommended that you check the maximum weight that a fully operational IRB can hold as per the manufacturer’s specifications. When using inflatable buoys, if the driver’s vision is compromised, consider deflating the buoy to a safe level. It is not recommended that inexperienced crews should be laying buoys. Be mindful that the moveability of the craft will be compromised due to the additional weight and the surface area of the buoys catching the wind.

Single buoy set-up

Single buoys have string lines and clips attached. Clips will be attached to the last link of the chain and the opposite end of the chain will be attached to the anchor. All anchors must have a buoy attached to them during transportation in an IRB. Refer to the image below which shows a basic configuration.

Anchor safety

Anchors can be heavy and/or have sharp protrusions. Keep the feet and hands clear of any anchor lines and store anchors securely when not in use. When pulling an anchor in, take care to keep the chain and any pinch points clear of the fingers and feet. Anchors should always be kept in the rear of the IRB (but not against the transom) to reduce movement when negotiating the surf. All equipment must be clear of the driver’s feet and legs. It is best practice to transport anchors in a crate or bucket. In no circumstances should the anchor be stowed towards the bow of the IRB.

Anchor placement

• All ropes must remain coiled, until the deployment of each individual buoy.
• Only one buoy should be deployed at a time, meaning that only one rope should ever be uncoiled within an IRB.
• Always lay the anchor out. Do not throw the anchor and line out together or it will become tangled
• Let the anchor touch the bottom and let the IRB drift away until sufficient line is paid out
• To anchor in an obvious tidal stream, go forward against the stream, let the anchor go, allow the IRB to drift back with the current until the anchor holds then stop the motor
• When the anchor is firmly set look around for reference points in relation to the IRB. Identify two fixed points on land to get the bearing (house, rock, tower, etc.). Over the next hour or so, make sure those reference points are in the same place. If not, the IRB is probably dragging the anchor and moving from the original position
• Begin anchor watch. Everyone should check occasionally to make sure the IRB is not drifting

Anchor retrieval

• Retrieve the anchor by pulling or powering forward slowly until the anchor rope hangs vertically at the bow. Hold the line as the IRB moves slowly past the vertical. This will use the weight of the IRB to free the anchor and protect you from being dragged over the bow
• Once free, raise the anchor to the waterline. Take care not to allow the anchor to come into contact with the IRB as it is being retrieved
• Clear debris from the anchor before lifting it on board the craft. Be mindful of any marine life attached to the line, e.g., jellyfish that may sting
• Store the anchor in the stern of the IRB

*NOTE: If an IRB is to be anchored it must be anchored to the bow D ring on the underside of the bow, using a suitable length of 10 mm polypropylene rope (consult your guidelines) attached to an approved anchor. IRBs must not anchor in any channel where there is the potential to impede the navigation of any other craft. IRBs are prohibited from anchoring in a channel for any reason other than in an emergency situation. It is advisable to have at least 2.5 m of chain attached between anchor stock and cable. The chain greatly improves the holding power of the anchor.

The most commonly used anchor on an IRB in support of surf sports is the Dreadnought.

Danforth, Plough and reef anchors have sharp points which should be handled with care to avoid puncturing the IRB. Carrying these within the craft should be avoided.

Towing an IRB or similar vessel

The IRB is not designed to be a vessel recovery craft and any towing or recovery activities must be carefully assessed for risk and undertaken by those who have been trained to do so. Towing another vessel significantly alters the handling capabilities of the towing IRB.

*NOTE: the primary function of surf lifesaving is the preservation of life, not the recovery of property

The foremost consideration must be the safety of the IRB Crewperson and the safety of those on board the other vessel. If the situation suggests that a tow is too hazardous and the IRB Crewperson of the stricken boat is in imminent danger, then they should be transferred to the IRB. If the tow is to be undertaken while people remain on board the disabled boat, they should all be wearing PFDs and have some means of signalling the IRB. This may be by radio or a series of agreed visual signals.

*NOTE: Only tow another vessel that does not place excessive strain on the motor. Any vessel being towed should be no larger than the IRB itself and have a similar displacement weight.

!Always comply with your local regulations.

The standard towrope (refer to the IRB specification for the latest tow rope requirements) should be used when towing.

• Where an SLS approved IRB is the disabled craft and is being towed (by any vessel), the towrope should only be affixed to the front stainless steel lifting handle on the underside of the bow.
• When connecting the towrope, one snap hook is clipped to the underside of the bow of the disabled craft and the other snap hook is clipped to the port (drivers) side transom eyelet on the IRB to allow for quick release if necessary.
• The IRB should be carefully manoeuvred as it comes alongside to affect the tow to avoid the disabled boat from pitching down onto the IRB.
• When towing a boat fitted with an outboard motor, the outboard should be tilted inboard to avoid unnecessary drag.
• It is important that both the IRB and the boat are ‘in step’, that is, tension on the line is maintained through the course of the tow. This will require the throttle to be adjusted up and down, according to the towed boat’s position on the swell.
• The towing IRB and the vessel being towed should always be in sync with the waves, so both vessels simultaneously are on the crest or in the troughs. This can generally be achieved by travelling between the waves and a shortened towline.
• The IRB Driver and IRB Crewperson should maintain a forward position within the IRB when towing to minimise bow lift.
• The towed boat should be observed continuously, if it begins to go off-course, you should slow down. Any slack line must be taken in to avoid obstructing the propeller. Keep the throttle low enough to prevent the motor from overheating.
• If a large wave from behind forces the disabled craft to over-ride the IRB it could prove disastrous and must be avoided by quick throttle action. If you are forced to steer away:
  • The IRB may leave the water if broadside to the wave
  • The IRB may capsize if the towed craft passes the IRB.
• In either situation the tow should be aborted by quickly unclipping the towrope from the transom eyelet on the IRB. As the towrope has a flotation buoy at each end, the rope can be easily retrieved.

*NOTE: When towing through the surf zone consider shortening the tow rope to ensure that the IRB Driver can maintain speeds faster than the wave speed.

!It is best practice that the vessel under tow has no occupants in it to reduce weight and drag. This is particularly important in the surf zone.